Pep Guardiola has confirmed that Manuel Akanji might be out for at the least two months with a torn adductor suffered throughout Manchester Metropolis’s midweek Champions League defeat to holders Actual Madrid.
The Premier League champions have been ready of power heading into the ultimate 5 minutes of the sport, main 2-1 because of Erling Haaland’s brace. However one other late implosion – one thing which has dogged Metropolis in latest months – noticed Madrid flip the tables and depart the Etihad with a purpose benefit heading into the second leg.
Not solely did Metropolis lose the match, in addition they misplaced each Akanji and Jack Grealish to accidents within the first half. The latter was substituted halfway by means of the primary half, whereas Swiss worldwide Akanji made it by means of till the half-time interval.
Talking forward of Metropolis’s vital Premier League conflict with top-four chasing Newcastle United, Guardiola confirmed the prognosis for Akanji is sadly not good.
“Surgical procedure on Saturday, 8-10 weeks out. Adductor is damaged,” the Spaniard confirmed to reporters. “We want the most effective restoration for Manu as a result of the trouble he has carried out this season has been unbelievable.
“Him and Nathan performed in tough situations and to assist the staff in emergency situation because of the lack of gamers in these positions. In the long run, the physique mentioned sufficient is sufficient.”
Guardiola stopped in need of ruling Grealish out of competition to face Newcastle, however did admit that it is unlikely the 29-year-old might be able to play. “Not as unhealthy as Akanji,” he remarked.
“I don’t know if he might be prepared tomorrow, I do not suppose he might be, however we’ll assess him within the subsequent hours.”
There was additionally affirmation that Nico Gonzalez might be “assessed in a number of hours” by Metropolis’s medical workers, doubtlessly that means the January signing might be accessible after he picked up a knock on his debut in opposition to Leyton Orient within the FA Cup.
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